Scott sets up rockfest as guide dog fundraiser

Jun 4 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A BRAVE blind man has organised a rock concert in a bid to raise money for charity.

Tax worker Scott Cunningham, of Avon Road, Larkhall, hopes live music event Travisfest will help coin it in for Guide Dogs For The Blind.

Scott, with his guide dog Travis, have already raised a whopping £85,000 for the charity after successfully completing five long-distance walks.

In his most recent fundraiser – Travis Trek 5, The Legends Trek – in April, Scott raised a magnificent £20,000 for Guide Dogs thanks to the help of Rangers football legends Mark Hately, Andy Goram, Arthur Numan, Alex Rae, Terry Hurlock and members of 45 Royal Marine Commando.

And Scott is bidding to raise even more money with the Travisfest gig, to be held at The Ferry, Anderston Quay, Glasgow, on Friday, June 12, doors open 7pm.

The Band Red Track, who have just released a new singled entitled “Pole Dancer”, will take time out of their UK tour to headline the event.

Wishaw band Vigo Thieves, The Underground Jam, and The Last National Band, complete the line up.

Scott said: “To have some amazing bands come along to the Ferry next week shows how much the events have captured the imagination and the enthusiasm of everyone.

“The event has got a great mix of indie music and a great Jam tribute band so it should be a great way to round off a fantastic year of fundraising.

“We already have plans for a further trek next year and ideas for a bigger Travisfest.”

Scott and Travis strolled into the record books when he became the first blind man and guide dog to walk the Pennine Way and Scotland’s three longest walks, the Speyside Way, West Highland Way and Southern Upland Way.

Scott completed his latest trek from Fort William to Glasgow in April.

Scott was helped along the way by Ibrox legends Mark Hately, Andy Goram, Arthur Numan, Alex Rae, Terry Hurlock and members of the 45 Royal Marine Commando.

The trek began in Fort William on Saturday, April 7, and seven days and 100 miles later ended with a hero’s welcome at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, the home of Rangers FC.

Scott added: “To walk on to the pitch of the greatest team in the world – in my mind – after an amazing week’s walking with some of my heroes from Rangers, and heroes of Britain’s finest regiment, the Royal Marines with their standard flying high, was a sensational and emotional feeling.

“A trek that had taken me over six months to prepare and organise finishing with a walk along Paisley Road

West lead by a lone piper then on to the hallowed turf of the champions was incredible. To say I’ve lived my dream is a massive understatement.

“The amount raised this year with the credit crunch going on is tremendous – and it’s humbling to be able to give the charity something back.”

People can donate to the legends trek by going to

www.justgiving.com/legendstrek

and tickets for the gig, costing £6 each, can be bought by going to www.legendstrek.co.uk